Linda Sarsour’s Non-Apology

In the face of widespread criticism from progressives, conservatives, and the original founder of the Women’s March, one of the most prominent leaders of the Women’s March finally changed her tune—then changed it back—apologizing, then not apologizing, for her ties to the open anti-Semite Nation of Islam minister, Louis Farrakhan. First, Linda Sarsour penned an open letter finally admitting Farrakhan has "said hateful and hurtful things,” and said she and Tamika Mallory “REJECT antisemitism and all forms of racism.”

Later, she complained about having to apologize in the first place, calling the criticism she’s faced “a feature of white supremacy.”

“Tamika and I are women with our own agency,” she wrote. “We speak for ourselves and ourselves alone. We are being stripped of our agency when every few months we are asked to condemn the Minister about words that we did not say. As a Muslim, I know all too well that I am expected to answer for other Muslims actions when white folks never have a second thought about having to do that - this is a feature of white supremacy.”

She ended the letter telling Women’s March supporters to “stay focused” on the real threat— white nationalism and white supremacy.

“The real threat is white nationalism and white supremacy. They want to destroy us all. We are all we got and you know that you can count on me and the Women's March leaders to continue to be bold and put it all on the line.”

In sum, Sarsour is not really that sorry for her ties to a man who compared Jews to termites on Twitter (who unlike Jesse Kelly, is still allowed on Twitter, by the way). She just apologized because she had to in order to keep her position. The real question, however, isn’t where Sarsour stands when it comes to anti-Semitism and hate—it’s where every woman who’s participated in the Women’s March does.

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Independent Women's Forum is an educational 501(c)(3) dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities. IWF is the sister organization of the Independent Women’s Voice.​